F1 guru's Red Bull exit confirmed in damaging move

UPDATE: Red Bull's chief technical officer Adrian Newey will leave the Formula 1 team in early 2025.

The racing team confirmed the news in a statement released on Wednesday.

"For almost two decades it has been my great honour to have played a key role in Red Bull Racing's progress from upstart newcomer to multiple title-winning team," Newey said.

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Newey expressed his desire to seek out new "challenges" away from Red Bull.

"I feel now is an opportune moment to hand that baton over to others and to seek new challenges for myself," the statement continued.

"It has been a real privilege, and I am confident that the engineering team are well prepared for the work going into the final evolution of the car under the four-year period of this regulation set."

An early release from his contract at the Milton Keynes-based squad now permits Newey to join another team from early next year.

Viewed as the most successful designer of the modern F1 era, Newey is the mastermind behind several barrier-pushing cars with unmatched competitive edge.

Misconduct allegations levelled at team principal Christian Horner have reportedly triggered a falling out between key members of the team, including star driver Max Verstappen and motorsport adviser Helmut Marko — prompting Newey's desire to leave.

Horner has always denied the claims and was cleared by an internal investigation in February but a second probe is now under way after the female staff member who levelled the allegations appealed the decision.

Newey is also said to be frustrated with Horner downplaying his importance to the team's recent success in interviews.

It is not known which team could be Newey's next destination after previous stints at Williams and McLaren but Ferrari is said to be in the box seat to acquire the 65-year-old's services.

Canadian billionaire and Aston Martin's chief executive Lawrence Stroll is also reported to have tabled a huge offer to Newey during March's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.